CN110612719B

CN110612719B - Camera module for a motor vehicle, method of use and method of assembling a camera module

Info

Publication number: CN110612719B
Application number: CN201880030609.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: M·佩尔松; P·费雷德里克松; F·特伦克维斯特
Original assignee: Vennell Sweden
Current assignee: Anzher Software Co
Priority date: 2017-05-30
Filing date: 2018-05-29
Publication date: 2021-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 2038-05-29
Also published as: JP7030136B2; EP3410687A1; EP3410687B1; US11310947B2; CN110612719A; JP2020518859A; WO2018219951A1; US20210127532A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a camera module (1) for a motor vehicle, in particular for driver monitoring in a passenger compartment, comprising at least one printed circuit board (2) and a shield for enclosing the printed circuit board (2). The shield comprises at least a first shield part (7) and a second shield part (10). The first shielding portion (7) is an annular portion and the second shielding portion (10) is a cap-shaped portion covering, enclosing and contacting the first shielding portion (7).

Description

Camera module for a motor vehicle, method of use and method of assembling a camera module

The invention relates to a camera module for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one printed circuit board and a shield for enclosing the printed circuit board. The invention also relates to a method of using the camera module and a method of assembling the camera module.

The construction space of a camera module for monitoring a driver is very limited, and a compact and space-saving camera module construction is required. Another requirement of manufacturers is the cost-effectiveness of the camera module. Furthermore, the camera module itself or other electronic devices nearby may include sensitive electronic components that may be functionally disturbed by electromagnetic interference.

From WO2013/02897, a device for a motor vehicle configured to process image data of an image capturing unit is known, the device comprising a housing and a plurality of printed circuit boards placed parallel to each other and at a distance within the housing. The housing provides for the securing of the printed circuit board and additional features for ensuring heat dissipation. The housing may be a metal housing. However, due to the many functional details of the housing, the camera module will be relatively expensive to manufacture with a metal housing. Therefore, the housing is typically made of plastic and does not provide electromagnetic shielding. Furthermore, the assembly process will be simplified.

The problem underlying the present invention is to provide a camera module which has a compact design, provides electromagnetic shielding and is cost-effective to manufacture and assemble.

This problem is solved by a camera module and an assembly method, respectively, having the features according to the independent claims.

According to the invention, a camera module for a vehicle, in particular for driver monitoring, comprises at least one printed circuit board and a shield for enclosing the printed circuit board. According to an implementation of the invention of the shield, the shield comprises a first shield part and a second shield part, wherein the first shield part is a ring-shaped part and the second shield part is a cap-shaped part covering, enclosing and contacting the first shield part. Enclosing and contacting the first shielding portion with the second shielding portion provides reliable electromagnetic shielding for the camera module, provides a space-saving construction and cost-effective manufacturing and assembly.

Preferably, the annular first shield portion encloses at least 210 °, more preferably at least 270 °, even more preferably at least 330 °, and most preferably completely encloses at least one circuit board to form a closed loop.

Preferably, the first and second shield portions are connected to each other by one or more clamp connectors. This embodiment is particularly cost-effective and quick to assemble. When the clip connector is used, it is not necessary to use other fasteners to connect the first shield portion and the second shield portion. The second shielding portion may be provided with a clip connector or a set of clip connectors. The clip connectors may be distributed over the second shield part so that a reliable and mechanically stable connection with the first shield part may be achieved. The connection between the first and second shield parts may be realized in a reversible manner, i.e. the clamp connector may be constructed such that the connection may be broken without damage.

Preferably, the at least one printed circuit board and the first shielding portion are connected to each other by one or more clips. This embodiment is also particularly cost-effective and fast to assemble. When the jig is used, there is no need to use other fasteners to assemble the at least one printed circuit board and the first shield part. A clamp or a set of clamps may be arranged along the circumference of at least one printed circuit board. The clips may be distributed along the first shield part to ensure that the circumference of the at least one printed circuit board is contacted in a manner such that the at least one printed circuit board is reliably connected to the first shield part and mechanically stable. The connection between the at least one printed circuit board and the first shield part may be realized in a reversible manner, i.e. the clip may be constructed such that the connection may be broken without damage.

In a preferred embodiment, the first shield part and/or the second shield part are made of a stamped and folded sheet metal. The metal sheet can be processed by stamping and folding in a simple and cost-effective manner, but still provides sufficient shielding against electromagnetic radiation. By stamping and folding, the ring and cap shapes of the first shield part and/or the second shield part, respectively, can be easily produced. Advantageously, the clamp and/or the clamp connector may be made of sheet metal with suitable elasticity, so that no additional elements are required.

Preferably, the electronic components of the camera module on at least one printed circuit board are accommodated in a shielded space formed by the printed circuit board, the first shielding part and/or the second shielding part. Enclosing the electronic components in the shielded space provides a simple possibility to prevent electromagnetic fields from passing through the shield and to avoid any interference by and/or of any other device.

In an advantageous embodiment, the camera module comprises at least two printed circuit boards arranged in an overlapping manner. The possibility of mounting at least two printed circuit boards in the camera module corresponds to the possibility of a particularly compact and space-saving implementation of the invention. The presence of at least two printed circuit boards allows to utilize multiples of the area of a single printed circuit board.

Advantageously, the at least two printed circuit boards are arranged parallel, or substantially parallel and/or at a distance from each other. The parallel arrangement of the at least two printed circuit boards allows a compact and space-saving construction. Deviations from the parallel arrangement of at least two printed circuit boards are not excluded. By substantially parallel is meant that the angle between each two of the printed circuit boards is less than or equal to 45 °, preferably less than or equal to 30 °, or even more preferably less than or equal to 15 °, ideally 0 °. The at least two printed circuit boards are preferably arranged at a distance from each other in order to form an advantageous mounting space between them.

In an advantageous embodiment, the at least two printed circuit boards have the same shape or substantially the same shape. The identical shape of the at least two printed circuit boards allows a simple construction of the shield, in particular the first shield part. Substantially identical refers to the shape of at least two printed circuit boards, for example, small differences in extensions, protrusions, gaps, cavities, etc. are possible. The use of printed circuit boards of many different shapes is not excluded.

In a preferred embodiment, a gap is formed between the two end regions of the first shielding part in the mounted state, wherein the second shielding part covers the gap of the first shielding part in the mounted state. The first shield part may be made of a sheet material, for example a metal sheet, by folding. However, the folding process means that the first shield part comprises a gap in the folded state. By covering the gap of the first shielding part in the mounted state, the second shielding part ensures that the gap does not lead to a leakage in the electromagnetic shield.

Preferably, the camera module includes a housing surrounding the second shielding portion. The housing may be made of a material other than a conductive material without affecting the shielding properties of the camera module, but it is advantageous that the housing provides a highly adaptable mechanical interface for mounting the camera module in a preferred manner, as well as protection of components arranged within the housing. The housing may be made of injection molded plastic, for example, and equipped with fasteners.

Advantageously, the housing comprises an opening for the electrical connector. The electrical connector allows for power to be supplied from or to other electronic devices of the vehicle, such as a body control module, driving assistance device, display, or other on-board computer, or for the transmission of camera images or data from image evaluation. The control of the camera may also be coordinated with the electrical connector.

Preferably, the housing is adapted to be clipped onto the second shield part. The housing may comprise a clamp or a set of clamps to receive and mechanically stabilize the second shielding part with the first shielding part and/or with the at least one printed circuit board. This ensures the mechanical stability of the camera module, since the at least one printed circuit board is connected to the first shielding part and the first shielding part is connected to the second shielding part, which is connected to the housing. Other variations of the connection are also possible.

Advantageously, the second shielding portion comprises an aperture allowing light to enter the camera module. The camera module may conveniently include a camera directed towards the exterior of the camera module. To ensure functionality, the second shielding portion comprises an aperture allowing light to enter the camera of the camera module or to enter the camera to pass through the second shielding portion.

Preferably, the camera module is mounted by placing the second shielding part on the first shielding part such that the second shielding part encloses and contacts the first shielding part. This assembly method is very fast and therefore cost-effective. Advantageously, the first shield part and the second shield part are manufactured by stamping and folding a metal sheet. The metal sheet is relatively inexpensive and allows to simply create the ring shape of the first shield part and the cap shape of the second shield part by folding, while ensuring a good electromagnetic shielding.

A preferred application of the camera module of the invention is for driver monitoring in motor vehicles. In this application, the camera module is arranged in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle and is usually directed towards the position of the driver's face during driving. Other applications of the camera module of the invention in motor vehicles are possible, for example for capturing images of the surroundings of a motor vehicle.

In the following, the invention will be explained on the basis of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings, in which:

fig. 1, 13 show perspective views of multiple printed circuit boards of a camera module from different perspectives;

fig. 2, 12 show perspective views of a first shielding part of a camera module from different viewing angles;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a first shield portion assembled to the plurality of printed circuit boards of FIG. 1;

fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a second shielding part of the camera module;

fig. 5 shows a first shield part and a plurality of printed circuit boards assembled to the second shield part shown in fig. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a housing of a camera module;

fig. 7, 9 show perspective views of camera modules from different perspectives;

FIG. 8 illustrates an electrical connector of a camera module;

fig. 10, 11 show perspective views of parts of a camera module in different assembled states to illustrate a method of assembling the camera module;

FIG. 14 shows an alternative embodiment of a plurality of printed circuit boards of a camera module;

FIG. 15 shows an alternative embodiment of a first shielding portion of a camera module;

fig. 16 shows an alternative embodiment of the second shielding portion of the camera module;

FIG. 17 shows an alternative embodiment of a housing of a camera module; and is

Fig. 18 shows a schematic view of a motor vehicle with a mounted camera module.

The camera module 1 as shown in fig. 7 and 9 comprises at least one printed circuit board 2, here for example two printed

circuit boards

2a, 2b, a first shielding part 7, a second shielding part 10, a housing 15 and a camera 5. As shown in fig. 18, the camera module 1 is mounted in a motor vehicle, in particular in a passenger compartment, and is preferably directed towards the driver's face as part of a driver drowsiness detection system or a driver monitoring system.

The printed

circuit boards

2a, 2b shown in more detail in fig. 1, 13 and 14 comprise a first printed circuit board 2a and a second printed circuit board 2 b. At least one printed circuit board 2 has a circumference 3. The plurality of printed

circuit boards

2a, 2b preferably have the same shape. In the embodiment of fig. 1 to 13, the plurality of printed

circuit boards

2a, 2b have, for example, a hexagonal shape. In the embodiment of fig. 14 to 17, the plurality of printed

circuit boards

2a, 2b have, for example, a square shape. Other shapes are also possible.

A camera 5 is mounted on one of the printed circuit boards 2 a. The camera 5 comprises a lens objective 21 arranged to focus incident light on an image sensor 22, which is only schematically shown in fig. 1 and which is adapted to convert the incident light into an electrical signal containing image information. The lens objective 21 is held in a lens holder 23. The printed circuit board 2a on which the camera is mounted preferably comprises a through hole 24 through which the lens holder 23 extends so that incident light can fall from one side of the printed circuit board 2a through the lens objective 21 and the through hole 24 to the other side of the printed circuit board 2a on which the image sensor 21 is arranged. Embodiments are possible without the through-hole 24, wherein the lens objective 21 and the image sensor 21 are arranged on the same side of the printed circuit board 2 a. Electronic components 6 of the camera 5, in particular for controlling the camera 5, for providing power and for processing the image data output by the image sensor 22, are mounted on the at least one printed circuit board 2.

The plurality of printed

circuit boards

2a, 2b are connected by a flexible printed circuit board connector 4. Other connections are possible, for example, wireless connections or other flexible or non-flexible connections. The electrical connection between at least two printed circuit boards 2 allows for a connection between electronic components 6 mounted on said printed circuit boards. For example, one printed circuit board 2a may include the camera 5, and the other printed circuit board 2b may include a connection unit to receive the connector 19, which will be described later. The two printed

circuit boards

2a, 2b comprise a non-conductive substrate like a reinforced polymer and electrical conductors.

The first shield part 7, which is shown in detail in fig. 2, 12 and 15, comprises a main body part 25, clamps 9a, 9b and

protrusions

20a, 20 b. The first shield part 7 is adapted to be mounted along the circumference 3 of at least one printed circuit board 2. As shown in fig. 2, 12 and 15, the body portion 25 is substantially in the form of a strip that is preferably folded along a plurality of edges 26 to form a closed loop. For example, in the case of a circular, oval or rounded printed circuit board 2, the body portion 25 does not have to be folded along the plurality of edges 26.

A gap 8 is formed between both end portions 27 of the strip-shaped body portion 25. The body portion 25 may include a fastener to fasten the two ends 27 of the body portion 25 together. The two end portions 27 of the strip-shaped body portion 25 may overlap each other to enhance the shielding effect. Non-overlapping arrangements are also possible, as are the embodiments shown in fig. 2, 12 and 15.

The first shielding part 7 comprises

supports

20a, 20b to support the printed circuit board 2 which is designed to be placed on the first shielding part 7. In more detail, the first shielding part 7 includes first supports 20a distributed along one side of the annular first shielding part 7 to support the first printed circuit board 2a and second supports 20b distributed along the other side of the annular first shielding part 7 to support the second printed circuit board 2 b. In a preferred embodiment of the metal sheet for the body portion 25, the

support members

20a, 20b are advantageously formed by integral projections of the body portion 25, as shown in fig. 2, 12 and 15.

The first shielding part 7 comprises

clamps

9a, 9b to hold the printed

circuit boards

2a, 2b securely on the first shielding part 7. More specifically, the first shielding part 7 comprises first clamps 9a distributed along one side of the annular first shielding part 7, for example distributed in an alternating manner between the first supports 20a, to press the first printed circuit board 2a against the first supports 20a in the mounted state, and second clamps 9b distributed along the other side of the annular first shielding part 7, for example distributed in an alternating manner between the second supports 20b, to press the second printed circuit board 2b against the second supports 20b in the mounted state. The

clamps

9a, 9b are preferably designed and positioned to apply an elastic force to the printed circuit board 2a 2b in the mounted state. Of course, the

clips

9a, 9b may be provided on at least one printed circuit board 2 instead of the first shielding portion 7. Alternatively, the mating clip portions may be provided on the at least one printed circuit board 2 and the first shield portion 7.

In this embodiment, the assembly of the plurality of printed circuit boards 2 and the first shielding parts 7 is achieved only with the jig 9, without requiring other fasteners such as screws, bolts, glue or others.

The first shield part 7 is advantageously made of sheet metal which is cost-effective and easy to machine due to its elastic properties and allows the

elastic clips

9a, 9b and the

protrusions

20a, 20b to be formed in an easy manner. The body portion 25, the

clamps

9a, 9b and the

protrusions

20a, 20b are preferably integrally formed as a single piece, in particular of sheet metal. This one-piece solution is very cost-effective. As is apparent from fig. 1, 3, 13, 14, the printed

circuit boards

2a, 2b are preferably arranged in such a way that they completely overlap one another. A partially overlapping arrangement or a non-overlapping arrangement is also possible.

As shown in fig. 4 and 16, the second shield part 10 comprises a top part 11, one or more side parts 12, a hole 13, a clip connector 14 and a clip element 29. Preferably, the top portion 11 includes a plurality of edges 30, similar to the six edges 30 in the embodiment of fig. 4-11, or the four edges 30 in the embodiment of fig. 16. Preferably, the second shielding part 10 comprises a plurality of side parts 12, preferably at least three side parts 12, more preferably at least four side parts 12. In a preferred embodiment, a side portion 12 is provided at each edge 30 of the top portion 11, for example, six side portions 12 are created in the embodiment of fig. 4-11 and four side portions 12 are created in the embodiment of fig. 16. As described above, the second shielding portion 10 is preferably folded along the plurality of edges 30 to form a cap. For example in the case of a circular, oval or rounded printed circuit board 2 and/or first shield part 7, the second shield part 10 does not have to be folded along a plurality of edges.

Each side portion 12 is preferably folded along the corresponding edge 30 connecting it to the top portion 11, thereby forming a cap-shaped second shield portion 10 as shown in fig. 4, 10 and 16. The second shield part 10 is shaped to receive a mounting unit of at least one printed circuit board 2 with the first shield part 7, as shown for example in fig. 3. The hat shape of the second shield part 10 is given by a top part 11 and one or more side parts 12. Preferably, the shape of the top portion 11 substantially coincides with the shape of the at least one printed circuit board 2 and the first shield part 7. Even more preferably, the shape of the top portion 11 coincides with the cross-section of the second shield part 10.

The second shielding part 10 comprises an aperture 13 which allows light to enter the camera module 1 and/or the camera 5 and/or allows the lens objective 21 to extend through the aperture 13, as shown in fig. 5, 7, 11 for example. The mechanical contact between the camera 5 and the second shielding part 10 may further stabilize the assembly when the lens objective 21 extends through the aperture 13 of the second shielding part 10.

The clip connector 14 is adapted to secure the mounting unit of the at least one printed circuit board 2 and the first shielding portion 7 within the second shielding portion 10. In more detail, the clip connectors 14 are arranged on and distributed over one or more side portions 12 of the second shield part 10. Specifically, each side portion 12 may have one or more clamp connectors 14, as in the embodiments of fig. 4, 10, 16. For example, in fig. 10, the side portion 12 corresponding to the printed circuit board connector 4 includes two clamp connectors 14a provided at the sides of the side portion 12, and the other side portion 12 includes one clamp connector 14 positioned in the central area of the side portion 12. Of course, the clip connector 14 may be provided on the first shield part 7 instead of the second shield part 10. Alternatively, the mating clip portions may be provided on the first and

second shield portions

7, 10.

The clip element 29 is adapted to fix the position of the second shield part 10 within the housing 15, as will be described later. In more detail, the clip elements 29 are arranged on and distributed over one or more side portions 12 of the second shielding part 10. In particular, each side portion 12 or a subset of side portions 12 may have one or more clamp elements 29. In the embodiment of fig. 4, 10, 16, for example, every second side portion 12 comprises a clamp element 29 on a protrusion 31 provided on the free side of the respective side portion 12. In the embodiment of fig. 4 and 10, for example, three side parts 12 have protrusions 31 with clamp elements 29, whereas in fig. 16 two opposite side parts 12 have protrusions 31 with clamp elements 29.

Preferably, the second shield part 10 is made of a metal sheet which is cost-effective and easy to machine due to its elastic properties and which allows to form the elastic clamp connector 14 and/or the clamp element 29 in an easy manner. The top portion 11, the one or more side portions 12, the clamp connector 14 and/or the clamp element 29 are preferably integrally formed as a single piece, in particular of sheet metal. This one-piece solution is very cost-effective.

The electrical connector 19 is shown in fig. 8. In this embodiment, the connector 19 may be mounted directly on one of the printed circuit boards 2a, 2B, here the second printed circuit board 2B, and is adapted to receive, for example, a coaxial RF connector, preferably a subminiature B-type connector. Any other type of connection is also possible, for example a wireless connection or other wired connection.

The housing 15 includes a circumferential wall 16, a face wall 17, an opening 18 for an electrical connector 19, and legs 33, as shown in fig. 6, 9 and 17. The hat shape of the housing 15 is formed by a circumferential wall 16 and a face wall 17. Preferably, the shape of the face portion 17 substantially coincides with the shape of the at least one printed circuit board 2, the first shielding portion 7 and/or the second shielding portion 10. Even more preferably, the shape of the face wall 17 coincides with the cross-section of the circumferential wall 16. Preferably, the housing 15 may be a molded one-piece plastic component, for which manufacture is particularly cost effective.

The housing 15 comprises an opening 18 for an electrical connector 19, which opening can be used for transmitting data from/to the camera module 1 and/or for providing the camera module 1 with a power supply. The opening 18 is preferably located in the face wall 17. The housing 15 preferably includes a tube 32 that surrounds the opening 18 on the exterior of the housing 15 and is provided for guiding and retaining the electrical connector 19.

The housing 15 includes legs 33, which may be protrusions of the side walls 16 and are arranged, for example, at the edges of the face walls 17. Each leg 33 comprises a counterpart element 28, for example a recess in the leg 33, which is designed to interact with the clip element 29 of the second shield part 10 in order to lock the second shield part 10 in the housing 15. The legs 33 are preferably formed as protrusions extending from the face wall 17 to the exterior of the housing 15. In the embodiment shown in fig. 6 and 17, the counter element 28 is a recess in the leg 33, but may have other suitable forms.

Hereinafter, the assembly process of the camera module 1 will be described in more detail.

As shown in fig. 2, 12 and 15, the first shielding portion 7 is formed by punching or cutting out a suitable piece of metal from the web and folding or bending the punched or cut piece of metal along the edge 26 to form the first shielding portion 7.

Then, the first shield portion 7 is assembled with at least one printed circuit board 2. The first shield part 7 is arranged along a part of the circumference 3 of the two printed

circuit boards

2a, 2 b. The two printed

circuit boards

2a, 2b rest on the

projections

20a, 20b and are fixed by the

clips

9a, 9b to produce a mounted unit of the printed

circuit boards

2a, 2b and the first shield part 7, as shown in fig. 3. The clips 9 and the protrusions 20 are arranged on the first shielding part 7 such that the at least one printed circuit board 2 is mechanically stable. The proper arrangement of the clamp 9 ensures a stable assembly of the first shielding part 7 and the at least one printed circuit board 2 regardless of the shape of the at least one printed circuit board 2.

As shown in fig. 4 and 16, the second shielding portion 10 is formed by punching or cutting out a suitable piece of metal sheet from the web, and folding or bending the punched or cut piece of metal sheet along the edge 30 to form the second shielding portion 10.

As described above, the first shielding portion 7 contacts the printed

circuit boards

2a, 2b on the edge of the board 2 or on one side of the board 2. The first shield part 7 fixes and positions the two printed

circuit boards

2a, 2b together at a fixed distance from each other, as shown in fig. 3, for example. Preferably, the printed

circuit boards

2a, 2b may be electrically connected by a board-to-board connector or flexible connector 4.

Fig. 10 shows the assembly of the first shield part 7 to the second shield part 10 already assembled with at least one printed circuit board 2. The mounting unit of the first shielding part 7 and the printed

circuit boards

2a, 2b is inserted into the second shielding part 10 through its cap opening (i.e. from the opposite side of the top part 11), with the camera 5 facing forward, so that the hole 13 in the top part 11 of the second shielding part 10 receives the camera 5 through the hole 13. The insertion process continues until the clip connector 14 of the second shield part 10 interacts with the first shield part 7 or its corresponding clip part in order to fix the first shield part 7 within the second shield part 10. This mounted state is shown in fig. 5. In this embodiment, the mounting assembly of the plurality of printed circuit boards 2, the first shield part 7 and the second shield part 10 is achieved only with the clip connectors 14, without requiring other fasteners such as screws, bolts, glue or others.

In the assembly shown in fig. 5, shielding from electromagnetic radiation is achieved. A plurality of or all electronic components 6 are enclosed in a shielding space 34 formed between the printed

circuit boards

2a, 2b, the first shielding portion 7 and/or the second shielding portion 11. The gap 8 in the first shielding portion 7 is covered by the second shielding portion 11, which ensures that the electronic components 6 are located within the shielding space 34 forming the faraday cage and that no electromagnetic radiation can pass through the gap 8. This ensures that the electronic components 6 do not interfere with and/or be disturbed by nearby electronic equipment. However, the gap 8 allows for an easy and cost-effective manufacturing. In this embodiment, the electronic components 6 are arranged between the two printed

circuit boards

2a, 2b to ensure an effective shielding of the electronic components of the camera module 1 in the mounted state.

As mentioned above, in the embodiment shown in the figures, the two stamped

metal parts

7, 10 form an electromagnetic shield due to the contact between them. The second shield part 10 encloses the printed

circuit boards

2a, 2b and contacts the first shield part 7 to complete the shielding, bridging the gap 8 of the first shield part 7. Sensitive or aggressive components on the printed circuit board 2 are located inside the shielding

portions

7, 10, except for the image sensor 22 and/or the electrical connector 19, which may be arranged outside the shielding

portions

7, 10. The first and

second shield portions

7, 10 fix the printed

circuit boards

2a, 2b in the housing 15 without additional fasteners such as screws. The plastic housing 15 enables integration of the connector feature and the fastening feature towards the car.

Fig. 11 shows the assembly of the second shield to the housing 15 as shown in fig. 5. As shown in fig. 5, the mounting unit of the second shielding section 10 is inserted into the housing 15 through its cap opening, i.e., from the side opposite to the face wall 17, with the open side of the second shielding section 10 facing forward, so that the top section 11 of the second shielding section 10 and the face wall 17 of the housing 15 are opposed to each other in the mounted state, thereby forming a shielding space 34 therebetween. Therefore, preferably, the opening 18 for the electrical connector 19 and the hole 13 for the camera 5 are arranged opposite to each other. The insertion process continues until the clip element 29 of the second shield part 10 interacts with the counter element 28 of the housing 15 in order to fix the second shield part 10 within the housing 15. This mounted state is shown in fig. 7 and 9. In this embodiment, the assembly of the second shield part 10 and the housing 15 is only achieved by the clamp connector 14b and the counter element 28 without the need for further fasteners, such as screws, bolts, glue or others.

The embodiments of fig. 1 to 13 show a hexagonal shape of the camera module 1, which may be advantageous for being able to be mounted near a slanted wall of an automobile and still have sufficient PCB area for electronic components. In this embodiment, the entire unit is stabilized by the clamp 9, the clamp connector 14 and/or the clamp element 29 on three sides, respectively. The embodiments of fig. 14 to 17 show a rectangular or square shape of the camera module 1. Other geometries are possible.

Claims

1. A camera module (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one printed circuit board (2) and a shield for enclosing the printed circuit board (2), characterized in that the shield comprises at least a first shield part (7) and a second shield part (10), wherein the first shield part (7) is an annular part and the second shield part (10) is a cap-shaped part covering, enclosing and contacting the first shield part (7), the at least one printed circuit board (2) and the first shield part (7) being connected to each other by one or more clamps (9), the first shield part comprising the one or more clamps.

2. The camera module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first shielding part (7) and the second shielding part (10) are connected to each other by one or more clamp connectors (14).

3. The camera module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first shielding part (7) and/or the second shielding part (10) are made of sheet metal.

4. The camera module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that electronic components (6) on the at least one printed circuit board (2) are accommodated in a shielded space (34) formed by the at least one printed circuit board (2), the first shielding part (7) and/or the second shielding part (10).

5. Camera module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the camera module (1) comprises at least two printed circuit boards (2) arranged in an overlapping manner, parallel, substantially parallel to each other, and/or at a distance from each other.

6. Camera module (1) for a motor vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that said at least two printed circuit boards (2) have the same shape or substantially the same shape.

7. A camera module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in a mounted state a gap (8) is formed between two end regions of the first shielding part (7), wherein the second shielding part (10) covers the gap (8) of the first shielding part (7) in the mounted state.

8. The camera module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a housing (15) surrounding the second shielding portion (10).

9. The camera module (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the housing (15) comprises an opening (18) for an electrical connector (19).

10. The camera module (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the housing (15) is adapted to be clipped on the second shielding portion (10).

11. The camera module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second shielding portion (10) comprises an aperture (13) allowing light to enter the camera module (1).

12. The camera module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is used for monitoring a driver in a passenger compartment.

13. A method of assembling a camera module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first shield part (7) and the second shield part (10) are manufactured by stamping and folding a metal sheet.